Rolling mill



June 1937. J. w. SHEPERDSON ET AL 2,083,100

ROLLING MILL Filed Aug. 4; 1933 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I-n uenfors John U1Shper-dson mgles morqcln.

Joseph m. O mqueg Acior-neg June 8, 1937,. J. w. SHEPERDSON ET AL 9 7ROLLING MILL Filed Aug. 4, 1935 5 Sheets- Sheet 2 III/[III j I v5III|||| A33 lnveniors Iohn U). Sheperdson mgles morqan b3 Attorney June8, 1937.

SHEPERDSON ET AL 3, 0

ROLLING MILL Filed Aug. 4, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 75\ 75 H nu'en ors JohnLU. Sheperdson Z i m g1 es m Qrqan. Joseph, m. maueg W :59 Atcorneu IJune 8, 1937'. J. w. SHEPERDSON ET AL 2,033,100

ROLLING MILL Filed Aug. 4, 19s: 5 Sheets-$heef 4 46 I 8 F o 5 Inventors:9 Iohn w. Shepevdson mgles morqan Toseph m. C) mulleg M W W AttorneyJune 8, 19-37. J. w. SHEPERDSON- ET AL ROLLING MILL Filed Aug. 4, 1933 5Sheets-Sheet 5 III D Gui Q 9b. Q 3 m M? w 8 6 5 a J O a a 7 1 4 M W;

n H o 9% 5 5n] 3 $2M t e qm e 20 h o m mww was nm e% miw TmTv B PatentedJune 8, 1937 ROLLING MILL John W. Sheperdson, Myles Morgan, and JosephM. OMalley, Worcester, Mass, assignors to Morgan Construction Company,

Worcester,

Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application August 4, 1933, SerialNo. 683,664

6 Claims:

The present invention relates to rolling mills, and particularly tovertical mills adapted for rolling bars or like articles, either alone,or in conjunction with adjacent horizontal rolls.

In the copending application of David L. Mekeel and James H. Caylor,Serial No. 686,004, filed August 21, 1933, there is shown and describeda rolling mill characterized by the provision of a vertical roll standassembly movable as a unit 10 in a vertical plane, and one of theobjects of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangementfor maintaining the unit in adjusted position. Other and further objectsof the present invention are to provide improved con- 15 pling boxesbetween the rolls and pinions, combined with means for preventing theentrance of water and scale into the roll pinion housing, means forcounterbalancing the rolls vertically, as well as means for adjustingand holdingin 20 place the roll neck bearings. The above and otheradvantageous features of the invention will hereinafter more fullyappear from the following description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:.-

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a complete vertical roll standassembly embodying our improved means for positioning the same, as aunit.

Fig. 2 is a view partially in section and partially in side elevation ofthe parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View, on an enlarged scale, showingdetails of the wedging arrangement of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view along the line i-- l of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the 35 arrows.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, along theline 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary horizontal sectional views along the lines86 and 1-1 01 40 Fig. 2, respectively, looking in the direction of thearrows.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5,looking in the direction of the arrows.

' Like reference characters refer to like parts in the differentfigures.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the rolls l of a vertical stand aremounted within a housing generally designated. by the referencecharacter 2, the housing consisting of closed yokes 2a and 2b embracingthe upper and lower roll necks, re-,- spectively. The housing yokes 2aand 2b are connected at their corners by integral vertical columns 3, sothat the housing 2, including the rolls and bearings, hereinafterdescribed in detail, may be handled as a unit.

The roll housing 2 is secured to a platform 3 by bolts 5, and theplatform ii is in turn supported by a cage 6, within which is mounted ahousing l enclosing the pinions for driving the rolls 9.

As fully described and claimed in the aforesaid copending Mekeel andCaylor application Serial No. 686,004, the cage 6, carrying the roll andpinion housing assemblies, is movable vertically as a unit between ways9 and I0, and ashaft ll extending downwardly from one of the pinions 8is connected to a motor driven horizontal shaft l2 through gearing I3and a sliding key connection H. In order to vertically move the cage 6carrying the rolls and pinion housing assemblies, screw shafts l areprovided on opposite sides of the cage, the shafts l5 being driven inunison through worm wheels IS in mesh with suitable worms, not shown,carried on a motor driven shaft ll. As also pointed out in the aforesaidcopending Mekeel and Caylor application, the present inventioncontemplates, among other things, the provision of an improved wedgingarrangement for locking the vertically movable cage 6 between the ways 9and i0 following vertical adjustment thereof, and this wedgingarrangement will next be described.

As best shown in Fig. 4, one vertical way 9 provides a slot l8 having aninclined face lBa for receiving a correspondingly shaped rail l9provided on one side of the cage 6, one screw shaft I5 being threadedinto a nut |5a disposed within the rail H, see Fig. 1. The other way l0provides a slot 20 generally rectangular in form, the slot 20 beingpartially filled by a rail 2i provided on the cage 6 opposite andparallel to the rail IS, the other screw shaft l5 extending through therail 2| and cooperating with a fixed nut, not shown, similar to the nutI 511..

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the space within the slot 20, notoccupied by the rail 2|, is partially filled by a wedge-shoe 22vertically positioned within the slot 20 by blocks 23 secured by bolts24, and the end portions of this shoe 22 are provided with oppositelyinclined wedging surfaces 25 and 26. Cooperating with the spacedoppositely inclined shoe surfaces 25 and 26 are wedges 21 and 28respectively, mounted on a verticalshaft 29 extending upwardly throughthe slot l8 and rotatably mounted in a bushing 30 carried by theplatform 4. The lower portion of the shaft 29 is reduced in diameter at3| for a distance substantially equal to the length of the lower wedge21, the wedge 27 providing a slot 21a to fit over the reduced shaftportion 3|. The upper portion of the shaft 29 is threaded at 32 and isloosely received in a slot 28a provided in the upper wedge 28. The slot28a is enlarged intermediate its ends to receive a nut 33 suitablyheldagainst rotation by the wedge 28. Rotation of the shaft 29 by meansof a squared tool receiving portion 3& extending above the platform 8causes the wedges 21 and 28 to move in opposite directions with respectto the oppositely inclined shoe faces 25 and 26, rotation of the shaft29 in one direction causing tightening of the wedges, while rotation inthe other direction loosens the same. By reason of the fact that thecage rails l9 and 2| flt closely in the way slots I8 and 20, movement ofthe wedges 21 and 28 in opposite directions, as described above, resultsin an extremely effective locking of the cage '8 between the ways 9 andI9, particularly as the wedges cooperate with the oppositely inclinedfaces of the shoe 22 at both the top and bottom of ;the cage. On theother hand, loosening of the wedges by rotation of the shaft 29 in theopposite direction completely frees the cage rails from the slots I8 and29, thereby permitting the cage to be moved as a whole, withoutrestriction, to obtain desired vertical adjustment of the rolls I.

For the purpose of preventing water and scale from the rolls I enteringinto the pinion housing I, the platform 4 provides a centrally locateddepression 35, the bottom a, of which is inclined from the horizontal,as shown in Fig. 2, with its edges overhanging a stationary trough 36surrounding the cage 6. The bottom 35a of the depression 35 providesopenings 31, through which pass vertical spindles 38 connecting the rollpinions 8 with the rolls I through alined pairs of coupling boxes 39 and40. The openings 31 are considerably larger in diameter than thespindles 38, and each opening receives a tube 4i loosely surrounding aspindle 38. The upper coupling boxes 49 each provide an apron 42extending downwardly in surrounding relation to the upper end of aspindle tube 4|, so that any water and scale flowing downwardly from theroll housing 2 during the operation of the mill is entirely excludedfrom the spindles 38, due to the telescopic relationship between thetubes 4| and the aprons 42. Such water and scale is deflected downwardlyby the aprons 42 to the inclined bottom of the depression 35, the tubes4| extending high enough above the bottom 35a to prevent any possibilityof the water splashing over the tops of the tubes 4| and descending thespindles 38 into the pinion housing I. Obviously, the inclination of thebottom 35a of the depression 35, as shown in Fig. 2, is such as toeffectively prevent water and scale from accumulating to any appreciabledepth in the depression, the water and scale flowing freely into thesurrounding trough 36 from which it may be discharged in any suitablemanner.

The coupling boxes 39 and are each characterized by the provision of asolid partition 43, located substantially midway of the box. With therolls I, pinions 8 and spindles 38 vertically disposed, the ends of theroll necks and pinion shafts are in abutting relation with thepartitions 43 of the coupling boxes, with the ends of the spindles 38 indirect engagement with the opposite sides of the partitions. This hasthe effect of giving substantially a solid connection between the rollsand the'pinions, without the necessity of utilizing spacing blocks suchas are usually employed with ordinary coupling sleeves used betweenhorizontal rolls and pinions.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the mounting of one roll between theupper andlower housing yokes 2a and 2b is shown on an enlarged scale, with eachroll neck Ia. surrounded by a bearing 44. The position of each roll neckbearing 44 is adjustable with respect to the roll axis by means of ascrew 45 threaded into a sleeve 46 mounted in the roll housing 2.- Theend of each screw 45 is received in a concave seat 41 provided in abearing block 48, and in order to prevent the block 48 from falling awaywhen the screw 45 is turned back from the bearing 44, a pin 49 extendingthrough the block 48 is seated in a groove 50 provided on the reducedend of the adjusting screw 45.

In orderto maintain the rollnecks Ia against the working side of theroll neck bearings 44, each bearing provides a slot 5| around a portionof its periphery in which is freely received a carrier 52. As best shownin Fig. 6, the carrier 52 is held in place in the slot 5| by means of aleaf spring 53, the ends of which are engaged by notched heads 54provided on rods 55 extending through the housing yoke on opposite sidesof the bearing adjusting screw 45. Nuts 56 cooperating with threaded endportions of the rods 55 serve to hold the ends of the spring 53 in aflexed condition as shown in Fig. 6, thereby causing the carrier 52 toyieldingly maintain the associated roll neck Ia against the working sideof the 'roll neck bearing 44.

For the purpose of holding the roll neck bearings 44 against the barrelof the roll, a counterbalancing device is employed, best shown in Figs.(and 5. To this end, a lever 51 pivoted at 58 on the housing has one endpivotally connected to a link 59 carrying a recessed collar 60, in whichis seated the lower end of a compression spring 6 I. The upper end ofthe spring I5! bears against the under face of the housing yoke 2a, sothat the spring tends to turn the lever 5'I in a counterclockwisedirection. That portion of the lever 51 extending to the right of thepivot 58 as viewed in Fig. 5, is forked to provide arms 51a embracingthe roll I. As best shown in Fig. 7, the ends of the arms 51a areconnected by links 62 to flanges 63 projecting from the lower ,roll neckbearing, so that the spring 6i acting through the lever 51 exerts aforce tending to hold the bearing 44 against the barrel of the roll I.The pressure exerted by the lever 51 can be varied by means of nuts 64threaded'on the link 59 so as to control the degree of compression ofthe spring GI.

It is to be noted that the above described counter-balancing arrangementis not adapted to carry the end thrust or the weight of the roll I,since the roll is supported against thrust in both directions. Theparticular construction of thrust bearing shown in Fig. 5 forms no partof the present invention, the bearing being fully shown and described inthe aforesaid copending Mekeel and Caylor application, and obviously,other types of thrust bearing may be employed in connection with thecounter-balancing arrangement. For the purposes of; the presentdescription, it is sufficient to state that the weight of the roll I, aswell as the axial thrust in either direction thereon,is transmitted toroller bearings 65 through a stud B6 threaded into the roll neck Ia-andcarrying a thrust ring 61. For the purpose of vertically adjusting theroll and bearing assembly, a sleeve 68 carrying the roller bearings 65cooperates with stationary helical guides 69, so that angular movementof the sleeve 68 is converted into axial movement of the roll. Anoperating shaft I0 carrying a worm in mesh with a worm wheel 'Il mountedon the sleeve 68 provides means for con veniently turning the sleeve 68,and obviously movement of the roll with its thrust bearing assembly isaccompanied by corresponding movement of the rollneck bearing 44, sincethis bearing is always urged against the barrel of the roll by thecounter-balancing spring 6|.

As best shown in Fig. 8, the right hand roll I of Fig. is supported bystationary bearings 12 and 13 cooperating with the upper and lower rollnecks la. The lower bearing 13 provides flanges 130. which are supportedfrom the roll housing 2 by studs 14 passing through the flanges 13a andcooperating with nuts 15. By means of the studs 14, the bearing '13carrying the roll can be adjusted vertically with respect to the housing2. The upper roll neck bearing 12 is held in engagement with the barrelby means of clamps I6, only one of which is shown, each clamp 16 havingfeet Tl fitted against a lip 18 provided along the edge of the housing2, with a bolt 19 holding the opposite side of the clamp 16 inengagement 5 with the top of the bearing 12. Thus the bearsame manner asdescribed with reference to the screws 45 cooperating with the bearings44. Furthermcre, the roll necks la are held against the working side ofthe bearings 12 and 13 by means of rods 55 engaging the ends of leafsprings 53,,

which in turn bear on each carrier 52 pressing on a roll neck I a withina slot 5| in the corresponding bearing. In setting up the vertical rollstand for operation, the right hand roll I as viewed in Fig. 1, is firstadjusted laterally by means of the screws 45, after which the roll neckbearings 12 and 13 are secured in position by means of the clamps 16 andthe studs H cooperating with the flanges 13a of the lower bearing 13.After this, the left hand roll I is adjusted vertically, as described inthe aforesaid copending -Mekeel and Caylor application to bring theroll' pass grooves into register, the counter-balancing spring 6|serving to hold thelower roll neck bearing in place.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that by the present invention thereis provided an improved wedging arrangement for maintaining a verticalroll stand assembly in adjusted position, so that the cage 6 when oncelooked between the ways 9 and I0, following the setting up of the mill,will not shift during the operation of the mill. Furthermore, thecoupling boxes 39 and 40 are so constructed as to afford a substantiallysolid connection between the rolls, gears and interposed spindles, theaprons 42 on the upper coupling boxes cooperating with the sleeves inthe plat-.

form depression to effectively prevent the passage of water and scaledown the spindles 38 into the gear housing I. In addition, the roll neckbearings are so constructed as to be maintained in engagement with thenecks of the rolls, provision being made for preventing the bearingblocks from becoming loosened when the bearing adjusting screws arebacked off.

We claim:

1. A rolling mill comprising in combination, a pair of rolls, a housingfor rotatably supporting said rolls, a cage for supporting the rollhousing, vertical ways for said cage below said housing, a screw shaftfor moving said cage to shift the roll assembly as a unit, wedgesdisposed between the upper and lower portions of said cage andoppositely inclined faces on one of said ways, and a second screw shaftfor moving said wedges in opposite directions against said faces to locksaid cage against vertical movement.

2. A rolling mill comprising in combination, a

pair of rolls, a housing for rotatably supporting said rolls, a cage forsupporting the roll housing, vertical ways for said cage below saidhousing, means for moving said cage to shift the roll assembly as aunit, a shoe disposed between one of said ways and one side of said cageand wedges cooperating with oppositely inclined faces of said shoe forlocking said cage against movement.

3. A rolling mill comprising in combination, a pair of rolls, ahousingfor rotatably supporting said rolls, a cage for supporting theroll housing, vertical ways for said cage below said housing,

means for moving said cage to shift the roll assembly as a unit, a shoedisposed between one of said ways and one side of said cage, wedgescooperating with oppositely inclined faces of said shoe at the upper andlower portions of said cage, and means for moving said wedges inopposite directions to'lock said cage against movement.

4. A" rolling mill comprising in combination, a pair of rolls, powertransmission therefor, housings for rotatably supporting said rolls andfor containing said power transmission, a platform intermediate saidrolls and transmission and movable with both of said housings, spindlesextending through said platform between said rolls and said powertransmission, and coupling boxes for connecting said spindles with saidrolls and said power transmission, each coupling box providing anintegral partition intermediate its ends directly in contact withaispindle end and a roll or transmission shaft end.

5. A rolling mill comprising in combination, a pair of rolls, powertransmission therefor, vertically spaced housings for rotatablysupporting said rolls and for containing said power transmission, aplatform intermediate said rolls and transmission and movable with bothof said housings, with a portion of said platform inclined from thehorizontal," spindles extending through openings in the inclined portionof said platform, couplings for connecting said rolls and powertransmission to said spindles, flanges surrounding said spindle openingsand extending upwardly around said spindles an appreciable distanceabove said platform and aprons carried by the spindle couplings abovesaid platform in telescopic relation with said flanges to deflect scaleand water from said roll housing on to the inclined, portion of saidplatform.

6. A rolling mill comprising in combination, a pair of rolls, powertransmission therefor, vertically spaced housings for rotatablysupporting said rolls and for containing said power trans? mission, aplatform intermediate said rolls and transmission and movable with bothof said housings, spindles extending upwardly from said transmissionhousing through openings in said platform, upwardly extending tubessurrounding said spindles within said platform openings and couplingboxes connecting the ends of said spindles with said rolls above saidplatform, each coupling box providing a partition intermediate its endsdirectly in contact with a spindle end and a roll shaft end, and adownwardly extending apron in telescopic relation with one of saidspindle tubes.

JOHN W. SHEPERDSON. MYLES MORGAN. JOSEPH M. OMALLEY.

